Don't be surprised if you see Benilde player Fons Saavedra serving at Benilde cafe

As part of his graduation requirements, Benilde Saavedra is now having his on-the-job training with CSB’s premier facilities related to his course. Reuben Terrado

AFTER finishing his collegiate basketball career in the NCAA, Fons Saavedra is also set to graduate in a few months from College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management.

As part of his graduation requirements, Saavedra is now having his on-the-job training with CSB’s premier facilities related to his course. In fact, earlier this month when scribes had a roundtable interview with the basketball team’s head coach TY Tang at CSB’s Andrew Cafe, Saavedra was one of those who served food to the guests.

Saavedra said he enjoys his OJT stint as he looks forward to graduating this coming March.

“My goal is to finish my OJT and finish my course in March. I should be done [with the OJT] by January,” said the California-raised cager.

In his OJT stint, Saavedra was also assigned to CSB’s hotel but had to stop in the meantime due to a fracture in his foot he suffered on his basketball foot.

“I fractured my foot so I was out for three months. I’m starting to do my rehab and getting back into shape. They moved me here (in the café), sitting down, doing paper work, and working in the cashier,” said Saavedra.

Saavedra’s presence at Andrews Café comes as a shock to some CSB students and he understands the reaction coming from the misconception that student-athletes like him get a free pass from such academic tasks.

“All the time,” said Saavedra. “It’s kinda awkward because I guess there is a stereotype that we don’t go to school so when they see me here, working, and serving, they say ‘Oh, you’re here and I thought you guys don’t have to do this.’ In CSB, we have to. They are shocked to see me. But it’s alright.”

Although he is busy with his studies, Saavedra said basketball still figures in his future plans but he will consult his family, including his mother who is recovering from brain cancer, in the United States before he decides to push forward with his playing career.

“I’m planning to play again. But I have to go home and discuss with my family first. I want to see how she [my mother] feels about me coming back. I’m planning to come back but I want to make sure that it’s okay with my family,” said Saavedra.

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Regardless of what the future holds for him, Saavedra has his degree to hold to, as he also sees himself being in the hotel and restaurant business someday.

“It’s fun. I like to interact with people and I see myself doing [this] in the future,” said Saavedra.